Will Heat be active on trade market?

ASK IRA:

Ask Ira is a daily feature of the Sun Sentinel

January 31, 2013|By Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun Sentinel

Q: I have the feeling this February will be pretty active with trades. If you were in Pat Riley's shoes, would you try to make some moves, or do you think this will be it for the season with maybe a free-agent pickup later? -- Tony, Oceanside, Calif.

A: I think the Heat might be proactive at the deadline when it comes to the impending boost in the luxury tax, which could leave Joel Anthony vulnerable, and possibly even Mario Chalmers and Mike Miller, who otherwise almost certainly will be amnestied in the offseason. With Chris Andersen and Jarvis Varnado in place, it leaves Anthony exposed. And with Rashard Lewis playing well of late, it leaves Miller in a tenuous spot. Of course, if the ultimate commitment is to victory instead of payroll, then the Heat rides out the season, places the priority on repeating, and deals with the bookkeeping in the offseason.

Q: Is the Jarvis Varnado decision a bit premature? There is still the buyout deadline, possibly a Kenyon Martin or Raja Bell type that could have used that spot (since the other spot looks like Birdman's). -- J.S., Sunrise.

A: I'm glad they made the Varnado move. He has more of a game than I initially thought and could prove useful if the Heat find a way of moving Joel Anthony's salary, which certainly could be a possibility in the offseason, if not sooner. And let's be honest, there's still plenty that can be trimmed from the end of the roster without much impact on the team's success or future payroll, with all due respect to James Jones and Dexter Pittman.

Q: Udonis Haslem is possibly my favorite player of all-time. Now, having said that, when do you think his time as a rotation player comes to an end? Possibly next season? - Kevin.

A: I think, to a degree, that's already starting to happen. Even as a starter, Udonis' minutes have been minimal. It's almost as if it's Erik Spoelstra's way of phasing out Udonis without phasing him out. And yet, every now and then he still can have his moments, including a quality performance Wednesday against the Nets.